So what about the Natiive 5?

[buckthorn]

I've been accumulating Spydercos for more than twenty years but never wanted the earlier Natives because the strong swedges made the knife look too aggressive for my taste. I am very happy, however, with the Native 5 that I have. And, as a bonus, a couple of times a week I get to drive right past the mill where its steel was made!

[Donut]

The Native 5 is one of the nicer quality blades in the current lineup.

The only bad thing that could be said is that there is not a LOT of blade for the handle size and the handle is a little wide. In actual use, the ergos because the blade is not huge per the handle size is great and the width of the handle makes it very comfortable.

I think there is a "hands off" feeling for S35VN because of a little bit of bad press. I'm enjoying the S35VN, it works very nice for me.

[Ken44]

The Sage series, particularly the Sage 1 and Sage 2, have a VERY loyal
following and seems like many folks feel its the BEST production EDC
available today.

But what about the Native 5? I am a bit surprised it does not get the same
high praise as the Sage series. The Native 5 seems VERY close to the
looks of the Sage 1, with a bit of a different blade style and handles.

What is the general consensus on the fit, feel and quality of the Native 5? Which knife, Sage or Native, had the better edge retention and is
the sharpest out of the box?

The reason I ask is I am trying to decide between these two as my first Spyderco purchase.

You may want to check out the you tube vid on the Native 5 done by the same tester that did the Sebenza. From the thread you started about Sebenza's on another forum, I can tell you really put a lot of stock into his reviews. Check it out.

IMO, the Native 5 is a great knife, and so is the steel. I also love the Sage. The Native is a heavier knife than the Sage if that matters any at all.
I don't think you will see much difference in the two in regards to edge retention, or which is the sharpest out of the box.
If the weight doesn't matter, I would just go with what lock I liked the best.

Good luck, and I think you would love either. But you really won't know until YOU handle, and use the knife. You can't go by what you see in a you tube vid, you have to try it yourself.

[rnbtexas]

But you really won't know until YOU handle, and use the knife. You can't go by what you see in a you tube vid, you have to try it yourself.

Pure wisdom. I'll admit that I saw a few negative post about the S35V and starting doubting it. I put too much stock into the information from someone else’s opinion. I had to do a lot of reading to understand that to each his own on preferences. The best that any of us can do, that can (I understand different story outside the US), is go out and put a knife in your hand and see how it "feels" to you.

[zhyla]

I've EDC'ed a Native -- 1st gen, then more recently a the FRN/S30V model -- for I dunno, 10 years? It's a great knife. I don't own a Native 5 because it's $170, way more than what I want to pay for a knife. Another reason I don't own one is my others are still kicking just fine. I'm not saying I don't drool over a Native 5, but I'll probably try a Manix2 instead.

[Blerv]

I've EDC'ed a Native -- 1st gen, then more recently a the FRN/S30V model -- for I dunno, 10 years? It's a great knife. I don't own a Native 5 because it's $170, way more than what I want to pay for a knife. Another reason I don't own one is my others are still kicking just fine. I'm not saying I don't drool over a Native 5, but I'll probably try a Manix2 instead.

:confused:

By $170 do you mean $112 (Cutlery Shoppe) with free shipping and up?

[Douglas]

Waiting for the lightweight version, myself. I have a Native III. Absolutely love the ergos, but the relatively stiff pivot keeps it out of my pocket most days.

[Mwalle6]

I agree that the Native 5 seems to get overlook quite a bit. I owned a Native 4 and loved it. I have also owned all 4 in the Sage series and found those to be greatk knives as well. I have recently found a new love for back locks, and I think the N5 will be my next Spyderco purchase.

[zhyla]

By $170 do you mean $112 (Cutlery Shoppe) with free shipping and up?

Whoa! Amazon usually has decent prices on Spydies but for some reason not on the Native 5. It's still nearly double what a Native Lightweight costs, but definitely more palatable.

[Blerv]

Whoa! Amazon usually has decent prices on Spydies but for some reason not on the Native 5. It's still nearly double what a Native Lightweight costs, but definitely more palatable.

Yea in this day and age $112 is not cheap. The perfect range for a tool (for me) is the FRN models at $55-75. That said, it is a nice value considering the G10 and premium steel with a flat grind. Once they switch the Manix2 to CPM-S30v (hollow ground) if the price stays about the same it will be even a better deal.

I typically use Cutlery Shoppe as my baseline for "as cheap as it gets". poor_fish on ebay has some dirt cheap Buy It Now's. You don't always have the luxury to get the cheapest deal due to fluctuating quantities but always helps to shop around :) .

[MIL-DOT]

I haven't been on the forum in a couple months, but I just took a look and saw this thread, so I had to log in and say Hey.
I was fully embroiled in a couple of those controversial threads a while back over the Native 5. After owning a handful of Spydies,if only for a few months, my view is still that the N5 is a great EDC knife. But, that being said, i find the ones that I carry the most frequesntly are the Sage 1, the lightweight Native, and either of my Delicas.
I think I got caught up in the hype, and purchased more that I realistically need,and now wish I could get my money back out of my PM2, Manix,Stretch, and maybe even the N5........but I'll hang on to the lightweight Native,Sage, and Delicas.

[Ken44]

Have you ordered yet?
If so, which one did you decide to go with?

[waterford]

Hi Ken44,
Yes, i decided to go with the Sage 1, but im sure there will be more to follow!